Richard III

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Event Richard III
Venue Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
First Date 1948
Dates Estimated No
Status Professional
World Premiere No
Part of a Tour Yes
Description …Strangely, the cynically evil tyrant was made a likeable fellow with whom we enjoyed lopping off opponents' heads….To build up such a sympathetic response in his audiences as Olivier did in order to quash it later fro dramatic effect, savours a little too much of a theatrical trick…. But the point at which it failed was in the near-burlesque of the chapel window where book tossing and window vaulting ill became the scheming hypocrite that Richard is. The second part, however, was a steadily mounting picture of ruthlessness and final despair and almost redeemed what had gone before. Here were the solid reasons for revival of a part that only genius can touch. This was the Olivier lyricixed by Sybil Thorndike and the inspired actor we had so long and eagerly awaited. …
Primary Genre Theatre - Spoken Word
Secondary Genre Tragedy
Organisations
Contributors
Name Function Notes
Eileen Beldon Actor Margaret
Peter Cushing Actor Clarence
Vivien Leigh Actor Lady Anne
Terence Morgan Actor
Laurence Olivier Actor Richard III
George Relph Actor Duke of Buckingham
John Burrell Director
William Shakespeare Playwright
Text Nationality England
Production Nationality England
Further Information The international tour by the Old Vic Company in 1948 is described in the book Darlings of the Gods : one year in the lives of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh by Garry O'Connor (Bath : Chivers, 1985). Tour organised by the British Council. International. Wellington & elsewhere. (Also Australia).
Event Status Completed
Event Identifier 190270
Dataset Theatre Aotearoa